What’s Driving You Crazy: Confusing intersection on Johns Island

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Live 5 News got answers after several people wrote in to our “What’s Driving You Crazy” series about the intersection of Main Road, River Road and Chisolm Road on Johns Island.

“River Road backs up for a mile or more during peak travel times,” said one viewer. “The back-up is due to the yield sign and traffic on Chisolm turning left on to Main. Vehicles on River yield to left turning vehicles on Chisolm. Who has the right of way?”

Staff with the transportation department in Charleston County said they also get this question a lot and recently created a public service announcement video to explain how drivers should navigate the intersection.

“Because of the yield sign, those turning right from River Road onto Main Road must yield to all oncoming traffic on Main Road, including those turning left from Chisolm Road,” Transportation Project Manager Sunshine Trakas said.

The county is working on some temporary changes like a raised concrete median and more signage to help clearly define the yield lane from River Road onto Main Road.

More permanent changes are also in the works because this intersection is part of the larger Main Road Corridor project. The goal of the project is to provide a more efficient access point on and off Johns Island by improving several intersections along Main Road. The enhancements also include improved drainage, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and widening from Bees Ferry Road to Betsy Kerrison Parkway.

Don’t forget, you can let us know what’s driving you crazy on Lowcountry roads by emailing traffic reporter, Abbey O’Brien, at aobrien@live5news.com or you can fill out a form by clicking: this link.

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